There's an electrifying divisional matchup set to kick off a new week in the NFL. The "Thursday Night Football" schedule has been nothing short of spectacular throughout the season, and Week 16 brings yet another epic battle with a massive showdown in the AFC West.

Witness the Battle for Playoff Supremacy on "Thursday Night Football"

First Meeting Details

The Los Angeles Chargers (8-6) will host the Denver Broncos (9-5) at the magnificent SoFi Stadium to commence Week 16. This marks the second encounter between these divisional rivals this season.The visiting Broncos have emerged as one of the most astonishing squads thus far. Denver holds the sixth seed in the AFC playoff picture and can secure a playoff birth with a victory on Thursday night. Meanwhile, the Chargers are positioned third in the AFC West standings but are hot on Denver's heels and have the chance to overtake them with a win.

Recent Form and Challenges

Denver is on a high after defeating the Indianapolis Colts 31-13 on Sunday, putting themselves in an excellent position to clinch a playoff spot. However, the Chargers have had a disappointing second half of the season, losing three out of their last four games. But they are determined to bounce back over the final three weeks and prove their mettle.Both teams have a golden opportunity on "Thursday Night Football" to assert themselves as serious contenders.For the Chargers, despite their recent losses against tough opponents like Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, and a red-hot Baker Mayfield, they still lead the NFL in fewest points allowed per game (17.6).On the other hand, Denver's four-game win streak has seen them defeat Anthony Richardson, Jameis Winston (who was benched), Gardner Minshew, and Kirk Cousins (who was also benched). While they deserve credit for winning against these opponents, their wins haven't been overly inspiring.The Chargers have found a gem in rookie Ladd McConkey. As the team's leading receiver, McConkey has been outstanding and has quickly become Justin Herbert's top target. Running back J.K. Dobbins remains sidelined, so Jim Harbaugh will need the passing game to perform strongly on Thursday night.Denver enters Week 16 as the top-ranked run-stop unit in EPA allowed per play and opponent success rate per snap. The Chargers' pass protection has been a concern, so the game plan should focus on quick, short passes in Ladd's direction.

Player Matchups and Statistics

Broncos corner Patrick Surtain II is a serious contender for the Defensive Player of the Year award, but he mainly plays on the outside. Quentin Johnston runs 90.7% of his routes on the perimeter, so he will face a significant challenge against Surtain. The Broncos corner has been targeted on only 10.3% of his coverage snaps this season, the lowest rate among all cornerbacks in the NFL.According to FTN, the Chargers rank seventh in defensive DVOA entering this matchup, while the Broncos offense ranks 20th in offensive DVOA. The Chargers' defense has been exceptional, ranking eighth best in EPA per allowed per play, which could make it difficult for Bo Nix and the offense to move the ball down the field.The Chargers have a solid record as a home favorite under Jim Harbaugh, going 4-1. Conversely, the Broncos have struggled on the road as underdogs under Sean Payton, with a record of 4-8.Some may be writing off the Chargers, but they have the potential to show that they are still worthy playoff contenders as Thursday night approaches.The Broncos are on a roll, having won four consecutive games heading into their Thursday tilt with the Chargers. Here's how they can clinch a playoff spot:Denver clinches a playoff berth with a win or a tie, or if Miami loses or ties, along with Cincinnati losing or tying, and Indianapolis losing or tying.For the Chargers, they can make the playoffs with a win and Miami losing or tying, along with Indianapolis losing or tying, or with a tie and Miami losing, along with Indianapolis losing and Cincinnati losing or tying.We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn't influence our coverage.